Shelf

ABSTRACT

A shelf ( 10 ) that is of a square or rectangular configuration so as to have a first pair of sides ( 11 ) that are generally parallel and transversely spaced and generally perpendicular to the sides ( 11 ). The shelf ( 10 ) has a body ( 14 ) injected of moulded plastics material with elongated frame members ( 15, 16 ) moulded within the body ( 14 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to shelves and more particularly to shelves formed of mould plastics material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical shelving includes generally upright posts that support one or more generally horizontally oriented shelves. The shelves have sockets that receive the posts so as to be secured thereto.

It is not uncommon to form the shelves with a metal frame about which there is moulded a body of plastics material.

The abovementioned shelves have the disadvantage that frequently the shelf twists due to stresses within the shelf. Accordingly the shelf is no longer generally planar.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is disclosed herein a shelf of generally square or rectangular configuration so as to have four sides and four corners, the shelf including: a pair of elongated frame members, the frame members being generally parallel and transversely spaced, each frame member being located adjacent a respective side of the shelf;

an insert at each corner to be engaged by a post that supports the shelf;

a body moulded of plastics material with the frame members and inserts embedded in the body; and wherein

a space is provided between each insert and adjacent frame member.

Preferably, the pair of frame members is a first pair of frame members, and the shelf includes a second pair of elongated frame members, the second frame members being generally parallel and transversely spaced, and generally perpendicular to the first members, with the inserts being spaced from each adjacent frame member, and the second frame member being located adjacent a respective one of the sides.

Preferably, the body is injection moulded with each frame member and insert embedded in the body as the body is injection moulded.

Preferably, each frame member is metal.

Preferably, each insert is metal.

Preferably, each insert is of a generally square transverse cross section so as to provide for upwardly extending sides surrounding a hollow to receive an associated post, with said sides converging upwardly.

Preferably, each frame member is non planar so as to have longitudinally extending recesses and/or ridges.

Preferably, each frame member has smooth external surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of a shelf;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the shelf of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic end elevation of the shelf of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a parts exploded isometric view of portion of the shelf of FIG. 1 and a post;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side elevation of the post and shelf as seen in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic top plan view of the shelf and post as seen in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevation of the post of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 8 is schematic top plan view of the post of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the post as shown in FIG. 8 sectioned along the line 9-9; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic end elevation of a frame member employed in the shelf of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a shelf 10. The shelf 10 may be of a square or rectangular configuration so as to have a pair of first sides 11 that are generally parallel and transversely spaced, and a pair of second sides 12 that s are generally parallel and transversely spaced, and generally perpendicular to the sides 11. The shelf 10 also has four corners 13.

The shelf 10 has a body 14 injection moulded of plastics material. When the body 14 is moulded, the mould includes a frame including a first pair of elongated frame members 15 and a second pair of elongated frame members 16. The frame members 15 are generally parallel and transversely spaced. The frame members 16 are also generally parallel and transversely spaced but generally perpendicular to the frame members 15. At each corner there is provided an insert 17. Each insert 17 provides a socket 18 within which a post 19 is received. Each frame member 15/16 is located adjacent a respective side 11/12.

Preferably each of the members 15/16 and inserts 17 are formed of metal, preferably steel.

When moulding the body 14, the members 15/16 and insert 17 are located in the mould. However the members 15/16 are positioned so that there is a gap 20 between each member 15/16 and its adjacent inserts 17. The gaps 20 provide for shrinking of the body 14 and movement between the body 14 and the members 15/16. By providing for this relative movement, the shelf 10 is less likely to deform when the body 14 cools.

Each socket 18 is of a generally square transverse cross section so as to receive the post 19. The post 19 includes a post member 21 that has a plurality of spaced recesses 22 that enable the shelf 10 to be located at a desired height. Engaged in each socket 18 is a first post sleeve 23 through which the post member 20 passes, and a securing sleeve 24 that is located between the sleeve 23 and the post member 21. As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, each securing sleeve 24 includes projections 25 that engage within a selected group of recesses 22 to secure the shelf 10 at a desired height relative to the post member 21. As is best seen in FIG. 9, the securing sleeve 24 has upwardly converging sides 26, while each associated sleeve 23 has four sides that taper upwardly so as to engage with the sides 26 so as to wedge the projections 25 in the associated engaged recesses 22.

As best seen in FIG. 10, each frame member 15/16 is not planar and preferably includes longitudinally extending ridges 27 and longitudinally extending recesses 28. Each member 15/16 has a smooth external surface so as to aid in movement of the body 14 relative to the members 15/16 when the body 14 is cooling (shrinking). Preferably, each member 15/16 has a thickness of about 2.5 to 3 mm. Such a thickness enables each reinforcing member 15/16 to penetrate any plastics material that may cover an end of the members 15/16 adjacent the gaps 20. 

1. A shelf of generally square or rectangular configuration so as to have four sides and four corners, the shelf including: a pair of elongated frame members, the frame members being generally parallel and transversely spaced, each frame member being located adjacent a respective side of the shelf; an insert at each corner to be engaged by a post that supports the shelf; a body moulded of plastics material with the frame members and inserts embedded in the body; and wherein a space is provided between each insert and adjacent frame member.
 2. The shelf of claim 1, wherein the pair of frame members is a first pair of frame members, and the shelf includes a second pair of elongated frame members, the second frame members being generally parallel and transversely spaced, and generally perpendicular to the first members, with the inserts being spaced from each adjacent frame member, and the second frame member being located adjacent a respective one of the sides.
 3. The shelf of claim 1, wherein the body is injection moulded with each frame member and insert embedded in the body as the body is injection moulded.
 4. The shelf of claim 1, wherein each frame member is metal.
 5. The shelf of claim 1, wherein each insert is metal.
 6. The shelf of claim 1, wherein each insert is of a generally square transverse cross section so as to provide for upwardly extending sides surrounding a hollow to receive an associated post, with said sides converging upwardly.
 7. The shelf of claim 1, wherein each frame member is non planar so as to have longitudinally extending recesses and/or ridges.
 8. The shelf of claim 1, wherein each frame member has smooth external surfaces.
 9. The shelf of claim 2, wherein the body is injection moulded with each frame member and insert embedded in the body as the body is injection moulded, with each frame member is metal.
 10. The shelf of claim 9, wherein each insert is metal.
 11. The shelf of claim 9, wherein each insert is of a generally square transverse cross section so as to provide for upwardly extending sides surrounding a hollow to receive an associated post, with said sides converging upwardly.
 12. The shelf of claim 9, wherein each frame member is non planar so as to have longitudinally extending recesses and/or ridges.
 13. The shelf of claim 12, wherein each frame member has smooth external surfaces.
 14. A shelf of generally square or rectangular configuration so as to have four sides and four corners, the shelf including: a pair of elongated metal frame members, the frame members being generally parallel and transversely spaced, each frame member being located adjacent a respective side of the shelf; a metal insert at each corner to be engaged by a post that supports the shelf; a body injection moulded of plastics material with the frame members and inserts embedded in the body so that there is a space is provided between each insert and adjacent frame member, and wherein the pair of frame members is a first pair of frame members, and the shelf includes a second pair of elongated metal frame members, the second frame members being generally parallel and transversely spaced, and generally perpendicular to the first members, with the inserts being spaced from each adjacent frame member, the second frame member are located adjacent a respective one of the sides, and each insert is of a generally square transverse cross section so as to provide for upwardly extending sides surrounding a hollow to receive an associated post, with said sides converging upwardly.
 15. The shelf of claim 14, wherein each frame member is non planar so as to have longitudinally extending recesses and/or ridges.
 16. The shelf claim 15, wherein each frame member has smooth external surfaces. 